On Sept. 10, 2017 Quillen Manor Assisted Living and Villas raised a brand new flag on a brand new flag pole in honor of William A. Boggs, US Chief Gunners Mate and survivor of Pearl Harbor. His widow, Barbara Garrett Boggs along with family members and friends, commissioned a bronze plaque at the base of the flag pole which commemorates his thirty years of service in the US Navy.
Barbara’s many friends, Quillen Manor residents and staff, dignitaries, and daughter, Gail Cox gathered to hear Donna Simpson read the account of that fateful morning in Bill’s own words as recorded in the book entitled, “Pearl Survivors” by Dick Jenson. All the sailors on the USS Honolulu survived the attack because they were on the opposite side of the harbor. Although bombs fell all around, nothing ever hit their ship directly. They immediately used motor launches to “pull kids out of the water and oil.”
Barbara requested that the ceremony take place on Sept. 10 in honor of the anniversary of Bill’s death. Coincidentally, and most fitting, it was the same weekend as National Patriot’s Day.♦
